Murat “Iron” Gassiev made his name with patient pressure and heavy punches to the head and body. The Russian from Vladikavkaz won the IBF cruiserweight title against Denis Lebedev in 2016.
He added the WBA belt by stopping Yuniel Dorticos in the final round of their World Boxing Super Series semifinal in 2018. Oleksandr Usyk outboxed him in the tournament final in Moscow, ending his unbeaten record and unified championship reign.
Gassiev built his heavyweight record with wins over Nuri Seferi, Michael Wallisch, Carlouse Welch and Mike Balogun. A points defeat to Otto Wallin in 2023 was followed by victories over Kem Ljungquist and Jeremiah Milton.
He knocked out Kubrat Pulev in round six in Dubai in December 2025 to win the WBA Regular belt. He defended against Peter Kadiru with a sixth-round stoppage in Moscow in July 2026.
The WBA’s September ratings label Gassiev its World Champion, while the earlier title announcements used Regular. His reported record is 34–2 (27 KOs); published records differ on some earlier bouts. No next fight has been confirmed.
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